Exploring

Oman, the fabled land of Sindbad the Sailor, has been a place of great attraction to explorers for centuries. During his expedition, Marco Polo visited the region of Dhofar in the late 13th century, and then sailed up to the coast of Qalhat, once a city of high prosperity. Fifty years later he was followed by the Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta, who started his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1325. Twenty-nine years later Battuta had seen the whole of Arabia, referring to Oman as ‘the coast of the fish eaters’ (not surprising as he arrived in Oman by sea at Sur). The more recent desert explorations of Britain’s Wilfred Thesiger are most fondly remembered in Oman and the UAE today. Thesiger crossed the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) twice between 1946 and 1948, both times disguised as a Syrian Bedouin. Nowadays there are still countless reasons to visit Oman. The Gulf of Oman’s rich sea life, the variety of unspoilt landscapes, the vast deserts, the rugged mountains, the numerous forts, the wild animal life and, last but not least, the friendly Omani population are all things that you will remember fondly. Fortunately, the Omanis treasure their past and therefore abundant remains of ancient cities can be admired. Adventure seekers will enjoy activities like desert driving, wadi bashing, diving and trekking. Other local attractions include a visit to the souks or the camel races, and are a perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals and get a taste of everyday Omani life. All in all – there’s something for everyone in Oman. Also known as the Pearl of Arabia, Muscat still lies embedded in a traditional culture. With all its greenery, beaches, museums, the famous Mutrah Souk and other commercial centres, visitors should take at least a few days to discover this friendly city, getting adjusted to the lifestyle and pace. The modern city of Muscat has grown and developed and there are now many separate areas making up the whole, which is usually referred to as the Greater Muscat area. Hence, there is no one place which you can visit to get a ‘feel’ of Muscat – the areas are divided by low craggy hills and each part has its own distinctive character. After Muscat it is time to take off to other, more rugged regions of the country. Travelling north will bring you to the cities of Barka, Nakhal and Sohar. If time allows, the Musandam peninsula to the north-west is highly recommended, with its main cities of Khasab and Bukha, and with scenery totally different from the rest of Oman. It features beautiful fjords and lagoons and is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. Travelling inland leads you to Rusayl, Rustaq, Nizwa, Bahla, Jabrin and also to the mountains of Jebel al Akhdar, an experience not to be missed if you enjoy the surroundings of rocky mountains and total tranquility. Going south via the interior route, you will pass the cities of Fanja, Sumail, Ibra, Al Mudayr, Al Mintrib, Sur and Ra’s al Hadd. On the coastal route Tiwi village is worth a stop, as is the ancient city of Qalhat, if only for the fact that this historical city, nowadays in ruins, was of such particular interest to Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. The Southern province of Dhofar, with its capital Salalah, provides a welcome change in climate in the hot summer months. While the rest of Oman is paralysed by heat, the monsoon (khareef) blowing off the Indian Ocean ensures a high percentage of rainfall in this area, resulting in cool weather and beautiful greenery. Salalah attracts international as well as local visitors for its peace and tranquility. Apart from the major regions to visit in Oman, this section also includes its largest island, Masirah, which is off the southeast coast.